Hi, thinking of getting this car towing lunar quaser.I know the weights are OK but little concerned over enough horses.car is 2011 any feedback would be appreciated.
Howard
Basically, the heavier the caravan the more horses you need so you really need to post the weights of the caravan first if you want an accurate response to your question.
If the op would be happy to tow with a 1.6diesel Ford Focus estate then they will be happy with same car disguised as a Volvo. Should be fine for towing up to around 1100kg.
we had a similar situation ourselves recently,we got a Bailey Ranger 460/4 max weight around 1150kg and our car is a Alfa Romeo Giullietta 1.6 diesel towing limit 1300kg ours has 105 bhp we were a little worried if the power was enough. We towed our new van home no problems what so ever maintaining 60mph on the motorway in sixth gear even up hill there was a couple of times I slipped into fifth up a larger hill but overall we were pleased with the performance. I know each car may behave a little different but im sure you wont have anything to worry about if ours is anything to go by
------------- its our imperfections that makes us perfect
Quote: Originally posted by Opensauce on 11/12/2016
If the op would be happy to tow with a 1.6diesel Ford Focus estate then they will be happy with same car disguised as a Volvo. Should be fine for towing up to around 1100kg.
I believe that the Volvo 1.6 and 2.0 diesels are both Ford engines that were installed in the V50 so the engine specs will be identical. The V50 was also built on a Ford Focus chassis so the towing limits will be identical as well. However, for one year I towed my Coachman Amara (1300 kgs.) with a Ford Focus 1.6 diesel estate and although it was fine on the flat it did struggle a little on motorway inclines and hill starts. However, it's not just uphill that you have to consider but also travelling downhill as the caravan nudges the rear of the car which is where the weight ratio is important. In windy conditions it can be a bit uneasy even after years of towing experience that is why I changed to the Volvo V50 2.4 Volvo diesel as it's heavier (83% match) and has a much better torque.
Hi, thanks very much for the replies.my caravans wt is 1235 kg so within the stated towing limit of the volvo estate . the ratio is about 87% which is not bad so the issue is down to pulling power. I accept the comments about flat towing ok but maybe a struggle on hills (particularly in france and Spain). I really fancied the v50 1.6 for its low tax and amazing mpg. however on balance and given we do a fair amount of caravanning now looking at a rav4 2.2 diesel . however have till march to decide on towcar so any particular recommendations with mpg/tax in mind?
Howard
Quote: Originally posted by Opensauce on 11/12/2016
If the op would be happy to tow with a 1.6diesel Ford Focus estate then they will be happy with same car disguised as a Volvo. Should be fine for towing up to around 1100kg.
I believe that the Volvo 1.6 and 2.0 diesels are both Ford engines that were installed in the V50 so the engine specs will be identical. The V50 was also built on a Ford Focus chassis so the towing limits will be identical as well. However, for one year I towed my Coachman Amara (1300 kgs.) with a Ford Focus 1.6 diesel estate and although it was fine on the flat it did struggle a little on motorway inclines and hill starts. However, it's not just uphill that you have to consider but also travelling downhill as the caravan nudges the rear of the car which is where the weight ratio is important. In windy conditions it can be a bit uneasy even after years of towing experience that is why I changed to the Volvo V50 2.4 Volvo diesel as it's heavier (83% match) and has a much better torque.
Fairly certain this is the 1.6 hdi Citroen based engine, if so it's trash avoid like the plague!
The engine is a joint project between Ford & PSA group & more recently BMW. It has been in continuous development for 18 years. Current engine since 2011 is used by BMW as well.
Courier drivers in Berlingo vans have these engines still running after 250k miles with only regular oil changes. Provided oil is changed at interval with correct grade used the DV6 diesel is as reliable as any other.
id love for that to be the case that it is simply an internet myth, but having had the oil sludging occur on a vehicle i owned and had the oil changed for the correct high quality oil regularly every 6-8k miles id steer well clear.
it is developed by citreon and ford, since 2005 and i beleive they chaneged it completely for the mk3 focus.
its just not a suitable engine for the majority of its users, in a van doing plenty of long journeys its fine but for the average family/ commute it is only ever going to have problems
& yet bizarrely there are probably more DV6 diesels on the roads of UK & Europe than all other similar sized diesels put together. How can this be? They cannot all be doing only long journeys. My Cit garage as done 2 DV6 turbo repairs in 4 yrs. Both due to missed services.
im not sure the dv6 is the most common, surely a VAG group diesel, or a fiat jtd is just as common?
in my experience i would steer well clear unless it was a new purchase.
Mine had 45k on the clock full and on time Citroen service stamps at an authorised dealer, and within 12k, managed to have to injector seals fail, and a turbo all within 13 months of ownership......
cant fault its performance when it was running sweet though! i genuinely loved driving it nice responsive engine pulled through the gears well clutch all seemed good, then out of the blue bang... flashy lights etc.
turned out oil sludged up, blocking the mesh in the oil feed pipe and bang goes a turbo. normally would expect DPf problems first (normally engine fan constantly running hard is a good warning, even when stopped)
had it all fixed up, turbo replaced with genuine garett parts, then it just kept blowing injector seals and just was not right.
i fully accept it is a very common engine, but as mentioned above many others are too, and the dv6 does appear to have a wealth of problems whatever car its in....
on topic, in a focus i would expect as long as the weights match the power not to be a problem.
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Topic: Volvo V50 1.6 diesel 115 bhp estate
